NHS North Lincolnshire News

Skyride is Coming

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:12:38 GMT

North Lincolnshire is a great place to cycle, and now there are even more opportunities to get out and about on your bike in the area.

This year North Lincolnshire is hosting a series of friendly neighbourhood Sky Ride Local rides. They’re all free to join, and it’s easy to register.

There are group bike rides across North Lincolnshire with lovely routes in parks and on tracks and trails.

With British Cycling trained Ride Leaders on hand to offer encouragement and support, it's a great way for families and friends to get together and explore our lovely county.

Rides are graded so people of all abilities and levels of fitness can find a ride to suit them.

And children and young people can get some great gifts for joining 1, 2 or 3 rides.

You can register now – it’s free and everyone’s invited to join in.

For more information and to book places on rides please visit goskyride.com

Free Health Checks

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:32 GMT

When Sir Ian Botham visited the Ironstone Centre recently, he learned all about NHS Health Checks.

Free NHS Health Checks help you to be better prepared for the future by identifying a number of potential health problems so you can adjust your lifestyle before they have an impact on you. It's all about helping you make little changes that go a long way to ensuring you live your life to the full!

All residents of North Lincolnshire aged between 40 and 74 years can have an NHS Health Check. This important screening programme will help reduce their risk of developing serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

These conditions are responsible for a lot of ill health and many of the premature deaths in North Lincolnshire but the great news is they can often be prevented with some simple changes to your lifestyle and diet – even if there is a family history of these conditions.

New dates and venues around North Lincolnshire from May until August have been announced and you can find out where your nearest one is by visiting:

http://www.northlincolnshire.nhs.uk/your-health/healthchecks/

Start living life to the full!

Changing Outcomes

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:24:06 GMT

More than 1000 North Lincolnshire people have had a "Health MOT" in the past year as part of a new programme aimed at spotting and treating potential medical problems before any symptoms rear their head.

Free NHS Health Checks are offered to members of public aged between 40 and 74 who do not already suffer from conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease or have had a stroke.

As well as identifying medical issue before they become a problem, the programme is also helping change lives.

"If potential problems are picked up, people are signposted for further review and support from their GPs and other appropriate agencies," explains Claire Clarke, NHS Health Checks Programme Coordinator for NHS North Lincolnshire. "With the support of the health trainers, some of these people have gone on to make huge changes to their lifestyles in terms of improving their diet and getting more exercise! Some recent feedback from one client, for example, tells us he has gone from a potential coronary victim to a marathon runner!"

The checks are carried out in the community with venues ranging from local libraries to leisure centres, fairs and events to your own place of work. During the Health Check, an individual’s risk of developing heart disease and some other serious conditions within the next 10 years is calculated and a tailored preventative action plan with a Health Trainer drawn up.

"The free NHS Health Checks aim to help you be better prepared for the future and take vital steps now to maintain or improve your health," explains Claire.

"Lifestyle factors that contribute to conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke or diabetes include smoking, obesity, binge drinking, unhealthy eating and an inactive lifestyle. There is a lot you can do to lessen your chances of developing them as you get older."

The service has been gathering speed and going from strength to strength with more individuals and businesses taking the opportunity to improve their health. Over the 5 year rolling programme, more than 11,000 people a year are eligible for a health check in the area and NHS North Lincolnshire hopes to be able to health check at least 20% of them next year.

There have been more than 1000 health checks performed in North Lincolnshire since October 2010 and the team have identified people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and pre diabetes risk as well as high risks of developing heart disease. Many of these people had no clue their health was even at risk before having their health check.

NHS Health Checks in North Lincolnshire have their own dedicated web page at http://www.northlincolnshire.nhs.uk/your-health/healthchecks/ where up to date details of venues and dates are included.

Samaritans

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:21:37 GMT

Samaritans is a national emotional support charity and many people are familiar with their 24 hour telephone service. But did you know you can visit a Samaritans centre without an appointment for face-to-face support?

The Scunthorpe branch of Samaritans is based on the corner of Lindum Street and Cole Street and face-to-face support is available on most days of the week. The Samaritans centre is staffed by trained volunteers who offer a safe and confidential place where any feelings can be shared without judgement.

Many people in North Lincolnshire are struggling to cope with anxiety, stress and depression and talking therapies are increasingly being used to help people explore these feelings in more detail. Talking things through can make a real difference and help us find ways to cope with high levels of emotional strain.

If you need someone to talk to, why not visit Samaritans? There is no charge for the service, no appointment is necessary and nobody will know you have visited.

Samaritans volunteers offer a warm welcome at the following times:

Monday: 1.30pm – 4.00pm and 7.30pm – 10.00pm

Tuesday: 1.30pm – 10.00pm

Wednesday: 1.30pm – 10.00pm

Thursday: 7.30pm – 10.00pm

Friday: 1.30pm – 4.00pm

Sunday: 1.30pm – 7.00pm

If you need to talk to someone immediately, please telephone Scunthorpe Samaritans on 01724 860000 (24 hours). If you prefer the written word send an e-mail to: jo@samaritans.org

Visit Scunthorpe Samaritans website for more information: www.scunthorpesamaritans.co.uk

Ladies Let's Talk

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:21:20 GMT

Women in North Lincolnshire are being encouraged to talk about Ovarian Cancer to raise awareness of the disease.

The sooner ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and if it’s caught early, seven out of ten women will survive for five years or more.

To promote Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, NHS North Lincolnshire's Cancer team will be out and about offering women help and advice and boosting knowledge of the symptoms.

There will be a coffee morning on Monday (19^thMarch) from 9am until 12 at The Pods, Scunthorpe. Visitors can claim £1 of a cup of tea or coffee.

The team is also going to the theatre! They will be at Baths Hall on Thursday 24th October for the performance of the Moscow City Ballet prior to curtain up and during the interval.

The month will end with an awareness stand at Morrison's Supermarket, Scunthorpe, on Friday 30th March.

Director of Public Health for North Lincolnshire Frances Cunning said women need to learn to recognise the symptoms so they can go to see their doctor as soon as possible.

“NHS North Lincolnshire is working very hard in the community to increase awareness of different types of cancers such as ovarian cancer,” said Ms Cunning. “If people spot worrying symptoms this can lead to earlier diagnosis and getting treatment started as quickly as possible can make a huge difference to a patient's recovery.”

Diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms are often similar to those caused by more common and less serious conditions but if you have any of these symptoms on most days please talk to your doctor.

§ Tummy pain

§ Persistent bloating - not bloating that comes and goes

§ Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly

§ Need to urinate more often or urgently

If If you or anyone you know has any of the symptoms detailed above, it is unlikely that they have anything serious the matter but it is important that you get checked out by your doctor.